Three wickets shortly before tea reduced India to 4-174 and gave
Australia the surprise upper hand on day one of the second Test at the
PCA Stadium in Mohali today.

Shortly after the restart, Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar passed Brain Lara’s all-time mark for most runs in Test cricket. The game was held up as Indian fans showered the “Little Master” with adoration, while the Australians joined in the applause.

On the flattest of pitches, the
Indians were strolling at 1-146 before Rahul Dravid (39), Gautam
Gambhir (67) and VVS Laxman (12) all fell in rapid succession to
left-armer Mitchell Johnson (3-48) and Brett Lee (1-45).

The
loss of 3-17 in 24 balls forced Sachin Tendulkar to take his
time, meaning he went to the break still two runs short of Brian Lara’s
record.

Tendulkar and fellow not out
batsman Sourav Ganguly will need to build a substantial
partnership to ensure the home side do not waste the advantage of
batting first on a wicket that has offered virtually nothing to any
bowler.

Stand-in skipper Mahendra Dhoni won what was thought to
be an important toss and there was a rollicking start by openers
Gambhir and Virender Sehwag (35), who added 70 in quick time.

The Australians gave a first Test cap – and the new ball – to Victorian 23-year-old Peter Siddle.

He
made a clunking first impression by striking Gambhir on the back of the
helmet first ball, but was subjected to some punishment thereafter.

Lee
failed to find any new ball movement through the air or off the pitch
and was also taken for plenty of pre-lunch runs, so it was a relief for
the tourists when Johnson dismissed Sehwag, caught by Brad Haddin after
nibbling down the legside.

Gambhir and Dravid maintained their
untroubled progress up to the day’s midpoint, though they were slowed
somewhat by tighter bowling from Lee, Johnson and Shane Watson.

Dravid
eventually lost patience and dragged an attempted back foot forcing
stroke onto his stumps, a breakthrough that was followed by another two
balls later.

Johnson had maintained a nagging length throughout and he was rewarded when Gambhir’s airy drive resulted in a thin edge behind.

Next
man Laxman was then unlucky to be the second batsman of the day caught
down the legside, his glance travelling too fine to elude the clutches
of Haddin.

Home skipper Anil Kumble was ruled out of the match
due to a shoulder problem he picked up last week in Bangalore, allowing
fellow legspinner Amit Mishra to debut for India.

AAP